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SOBA AMERICA’S LAST RESPECT TO THE FALLEN

SOBA America has diligently cultivated and enriched the tradition of honoring the departed. From June 2019, as part of the condolence gesture extended to grieving Soban families (referenced from Press Release No. 002-2019/2020/07), SOBA America introduced the SOBA America Memorial Shield and a SOBA America Casket Flag. These items, adorned with the fallen Soban’s admission number, class, local chapter, dormitory, and sometimes their nicknames, serve as poignant tributes. During funeral services, the flag is gracefully draped over the closed casket, while the shield is respectfully displayed in front of it, symbolizing the enduring bond and remembrance within the Soban community.

As tears continue to drop on the closed casket at the graveside, the memorial shield is reverently presented to the family of the departed. Following this solemn moment, the casket flag is ceremoniously folded by pallbearers, typically comprising the fallen Soban’s classmates. The folded flag is then cased, sealed in a shadow box, and passed to the President of SOBA America (POSA), who extends heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Sobans to the grieving Sobanese and family. Throughout these rituals, the college anthem plays softly, underscoring the somber yet dignified atmosphere of the occasion.

This cherished tradition has been shared with our brethren across the globe, fostering unity within the SOBA World. Its value is immeasurable, reflecting our commitment to honoring our fallen members. Without any reserved copyrights, sister organizations have embraced this practice, replicating it to pay tribute to their own departed members.

The friendship groove shared will never be more than a memory away. Continue to rest well gentle Sobans.

Sobanly,
Organizing Secretary

OUR FALLEN HEROES

These are names of those whose events were documented (especially non-registered Sobans), from 2016

  1. Roland Iboni #3406, SOBA 1977, SOBA Dallas (2016)*
  2. Kenneth Ndelle #2946. SOBA 1979, SOBA DMV (2017)
  3. Muambo Oben #4268. SOBA 1987, SOBA DMV (2017)
  4. Miller Lupke Mofoke #3216. SOBA 1991, SOBA Dallas (2018)
  5. Christopher Kamerun McNnane, #2939. SOBA 1979, SOBA Georgia (2019) *
  6. Arnold Yongbang, #0508. SOBA 1950, SOBA Carolinas (2019)
  7. Emeritus Ray Ekobena, #2402. SOBA 1974, SOBA Minnesota (2019)
  8. Emmanuel Kulu, #1768. SOBA 1966, SOBA MAL (2019)
  9. Paul Nkwelle Metuge, #4823. SOBA 1990, SOBA Georgia (2019)*
  10. Peter Dibonge, #2432. SOBA 1974, SOBA DMV (2019)
  11. Dr. Godfrey Y. Fondika, #2155 SOBA 1971, SOBA Carolinas (2020)*
  12. Eric Ngueteh Nganje, #2864. SOBA 1978 & 1979, SOBA DMV (2020)*
  13. Michael N. Samson, #2069. SOBA 1970, SOBA Houston (2020)*
  14. Terence Hene Ngide, #6621, SOBA 1998, SOBA DMV (2020)
  15. Walters Mpang Elangwe, #7367, SOBA 2001, SOBA DMV (2020)
  16. Gabriel Nji Defang, #5127. SOBA 1986, SOBA DMV (2021)
  17. Chief Theodore Esong, #1714. SOBA 1966, SOBA DMV (2022)
  18. Thomas Tanyi Enoh, #2844. SOBA 1978, SOBA DMV (2022)
  19. Peter Nip Nkwanyouh, #3504. SOBA 1983, SOBA Georgia (2022)
  20. Charles Ndikum, #2362. SOBA 1973, SOBA Delaware Valley (2022)
  21. Paul Ayuk Arrey, #1876. SOBA 1968, SOBA DMV (2022)*
  22. Christopher Kometa #1461, SOBA 1964, SOBA DMV (2023)
  23. Georges Louis Bikai, #2388. SOBA 1973, SOBA Tri-State (2023)*
  24. Johnson Lifanje Ndoping, #6615. SOBA 1998, SOBA MAL (2023)
  25. Stephen Taumanyi Mangwa, #3519, SOBA 1983, SOBA Houston (2023)*
  26. Benedict Fultang, #1131. SOBA 1959 SOBA Houston (2024)
  27. Chief Andrew Etoke Atabong, SOBA 1973, SOBA DMV (2024)
  28. Edwin-Daniel Mwambo Ndoko, #2949. SOBA 1979, SOBA Dallas (2024)* PC
  29. Elvis Tanyi, #4927. SOBA 1985, SOBA Carolinas (2024)* PC
  30. Eyembe Elango #3565. SOBA 1984, SOBA Georgia (2024)
  31. Gideon Njinyam, #2262. SOBA 1972, SOBA MAL (2024)
  32. Joseph Achem Ashu, #1164. SOBA 1960, SOBA Houston (2024)
  33. Valentine Tabot Arrey, #5794. SOBA 1991, SOBA Houston (2024)
  34. Joseph I. Yudom, #1358. SOBA 1962, SOBA DMV (2025)*
  35. Valentine Biyaga, #2972. SOBA 1979, SOBA Georgia (2025)
  36. Godwin Eyoh Namaya, Sr, #2989. SOBA 1979, SOBA MAL (2025)* PC
  37. Joseph Bayemake Mahop, #2104. SOBA 1970 & 1971, SOBA Dallas (2025)* PC
  38. Ivo Taso Asong, #2320. SOBA 1973, SOBA DMV (2026)*

 

* Observed SOBA America’s goodbye protocol

PC = President’s Club Member